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Rating: 
Summary: Glimpses of the master, hidden behind pathetic EGO
Review: I read everything about Horowitz that I can get my hands on. And I think that this book is the least superficial and the most emotionally provoking book about the Maestro. It does irk me that the author is elevated a little too much in the book. But, I get a new look at Horowitz that makes me see him as a man and not some eccentric genius that had no feelings.
Rating: 
Summary: Hero of the Hammerklavier
Review: I very much enjoyed this book when I read it several years ago, and it remains first rate entertainment. The author's self promotion is rather fun and essentially harmless. More important, his demonstrated knowledge of music and piano literature are impressive; I learned so much about piano repertoire that I hadn't previously known and gained a far greater appreciation of music. The built-in hazard of books about a writer's relationship with a legendary performer (Kate Remembered by Scott Berg comes to mind, and on a different level, Stephen Dubner's Confessions of a Hero Worshipper), is that if they are to reveal anything at all, they end up stripping the mystery and magic from genius. As a result, the reader loses respect for the performer, and for the author as the bearer of bad news. It's often better not to let daylight disturb an idealized image. I get the impression Horowitz was pianistically remarkable, but personally not very interesting or clever. That Dubal has nonetheless written a very interesting and clever book about Horowitz is certainly an accomplishment. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: For 30 pieces of silver...
Review: Many review have castigated the author for his enormous ego. Well, I had never heard of him before (or since) - probably the worst thing anyone could say. But I have heard of Horowitz. In fact I have over a dozen recordings of Vladimir Horowitz and consider him the last of the titans in an unbroken chain from Lizst, ending with Horowitz. The Eastern Europe / Russian school will never again be equalled in passion, dedication and technique. The flaws in this book, where to begin?(1) The smarmy way the author ingratiates himself with the pianist ("I'm your friend") then write this rather gossipy non-biography of celebrities he has met or spoken with.
(2) The gossip - sex, relationships, the inner thoughts of people as if he were a mind reader.
(3) The name dropping..."Yehudi Menuhin...said to me" "I received a dinner invitation (from Mrs. Horowitz)" "the French tenor, Doda Conrad, once visited me..." Or, preposterously, after the author had played a Schumann piece Horowitz said it sounded difficult and wondered aloud if he could learn it. If he said that John Kerry is an expert on the hourly worker. Give me a break.
(4) The cursory nod toward the music. It was described well - beautiful, mesmerizing, brilliant, etc - but it was mostly surface. I was hoping for something more technical, something different.
(5) The rather short biographical information. Again, almost all surface. Is there a definitive biography of Horowitz worth reading? Regardless, not reading one is almost preferable to reading this stuff.
Rating:
Summary: For 30 pieces of silver...
Review: Many review have castigated the author for his enormous ego. Well, I had never heard of him before (or since) - probably the worst thing anyone could say. But I have heard of Horowitz. In fact I have over a dozen recordings of Vladimir Horowitz and consider him the last of the titans in an unbroken chain from Lizst, ending with Horowitz. The Eastern Europe / Russian school will never again be equalled in passion, dedication and technique. The flaws in this book, where to begin? (1) The smarmy way the author ingratiates himself with the pianist ("I'm your friend") then write this rather gossipy non-biography of celebrities he has met or spoken with.
(2) The gossip - sex, relationships, the inner thoughts of people as if he were a mind reader.
(3) The name dropping..."Yehudi Menuhin...said to me" "I received a dinner invitation (from Mrs. Horowitz)" "the French tenor, Doda Conrad, once visited me..." Or, preposterously, after the author had played a Schumann piece Horowitz said it sounded difficult and wondered aloud if he could learn it. If he said that John Kerry is an expert on the hourly worker. Give me a break.
(4) The cursory nod toward the music. It was described well - beautiful, mesmerizing, brilliant, etc - but it was mostly surface. I was hoping for something more technical, something different.
(5) The rather short biographical information. Again, almost all surface. Is there a definitive biography of Horowitz worth reading? Regardless, not reading one is almost preferable to reading this stuff.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating glimpse into the life of a great pianist.
Review: Other reviewers fault Dubal's self-absorption, and while I realize he is quite pleased with himself, I think the book is excellent - delightful to read, full of interesting stories about life with the monster maestro, and displaying the author's considerable musical erudition. There is much to be learned here. As for the ethical question -- when you have been a guest in a famous man's home for a period of years, do you then write a book exposing the flaws of your host? It is easy to look askance. But if Dubal had not written this book, we piano lovers would all be the poorer. I keep Evenings with Horowitz on a central bookshelf in my library, where I often refer to it -- not least for the valuable discography and insightful comments on Horowitz' recordings. I only wish Dubal had been a guest of Franz Liszt in the 19th century -- what a book that would have been!
Rating:
Summary: Good thing someone thought to write this book...
Review: This entertaining book gives a small glimpse into the thoughts and habits of Horowitz in the last few years of his life. The conversations about composers and musicians are fascinating and Mr. Dubal has captured Horowitz's enthusiasm for and knowledge of composers and music admirably. Equally fascinating are the descriptions of the Horowitzes at home or dining out. This is a book to be dipped into and enjoyed. A quick word about the author. Unfortunately, I do think that he inadvertently reveals himself as being rather unlikeable. Furthermore, his literary ability is questionable: I found the book to be poorly structured and written. Yes, he sometimes comes across as self-important and yes, if it weren't for Horowitz no one would ever have heard of Dubal, but the book is enormous fun and I have read and re-read it so many times that I may need to buy a new copy!
Rating: 
Summary: Treasure trove
Review: This entertaining book gives a small glimpse into the thoughts and habits of Horowitz in the last few years of his life. The conversations about composers and musicians are fascinating and Mr. Dubal has captured Horowitz's enthusiasm for and knowledge of composers and music admirably. Equally fascinating are the descriptions of the Horowitzes at home or dining out. This is a book to be dipped into and enjoyed. A quick word about the author. Unfortunately, I do think that he inadvertently reveals himself as being rather unlikeable. Furthermore, his literary ability is questionable: I found the book to be poorly structured and written. Yes, he sometimes comes across as self-important and yes, if it weren't for Horowitz no one would ever have heard of Dubal, but the book is enormous fun and I have read and re-read it so many times that I may need to buy a new copy!
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